Articles tagged with: Ancient Maya

The Eco Kids Camp 2011 was comprised of 24 children from all over Belize who received a chance to visit Chaa Creek for an entire week to learn about Belize’s Biodiversity, the Ancient Maya, Traditional Healing, Land Conservation, Solid Waste Management, Responsible Tourism, and Belize Wildlife.

Situated some 12 kilometres north of San Ignacio town and straddling the Belize – Guatemala border, El Pilar’s 100 acres contains over 25 plazas, temples, palaces, residential structures, and causeways. Inhabited continuously between 800BC and 1,000AD, it supported a population of over 20,000 at its peak, and was one of the most important centres of the Lowland Maya. For us, one of the more interesting aspects of El Pilar is not just what has been found, but the way in which the research is carried out.

The Maya believed that every object contained a life force that toucans were sacred spirits, messengers between the gods and man. Inspired by this toucan’s passing in the early evening’s golden light, the Maya craftman might have begun carving its image into a limestone frieze on a ceremonial temple. As for myself, I retain just enough life force after a long day of exploring the rainforest to toast the toucan with another rum and fresh papaya, one of the bird’s favorite fruits.

Archaeologists estimate that at their peak, 1 to 2 million Mayans lived within the borders of present day Belize.

Mighty Maya cities such as Caracol, Xunantunich and Lamanai dotted the landscape, with small agricultural communities farming the land between. The Maya civilization is divided into the Pre-Classic (1000 BC to AD 300), the Classic (AD 300 to 900) when the civilization reached its height of development, and the Post-Classic (AD 1000 to 1500) when the civilization fell apart and disappeared.
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Now what in the world does a 7 year old girl from Texas do in a tropical jungle? Go on a Treasure Hunt, of course! And that is just what she did. In fact, Olivia was the very first young explorer to sign up for Chaa Creek’s newest educational activity for kids, the Nature Quest Treasure Hunt. This adventurous mini-trek is lead by a professional naturalist guide and takes children on a mission of tropical discovery through the Chaa Creek …